Method of resurfacing a billiard table

ABSTRACT

A method for resurfacing a billiard table is provided. The method includes the steps of removing the existing fabric on the playing surface of the table by cutting the existing fabric at the junction of the playing surface and cushion. A pre-cut replacement fabric is then placed on the table and secured in position by affixing one side of a double-faced adhesive tape to the playing surface about the periphery of the surface beneath the cushion. The other side of the double-faced cushion tape is secured to the underside of the replacement fabric.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,897,290

Haller 1 July 29, 1975 [54] METHOD OF RESURFACING A BILLIARD 3,711,349 1/1973 Snyder et al 156/309 TABLE Inventor: Herbert C. l-laller, Newtonville,

Albany International Corporation, Albany, N.Y.

Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 Appl. No.: 442,049

Assignee:

U.S. Cl 156/98; ll7/2 R; 156/309; 264/36; 273/6; 273/9 Int. Cl B32b 35/00 Field of Search 156/94, 98, 309; 117/2 R; 273/6, 7, 9; 264/36, 304

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1958 Mulkey 156/94 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Whitby Attorney, Agent, or FirmKane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz [57] ABSTRACT 7 Claims; 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULZQIHYS 3,897, 290 SHEET 2 FIG. 6

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

METHOD OF RESURFACING A BILLIARD TABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to billiard tables and w more particularly to a method for replacing the cloth overlying the playing surface of such tables.

The playing surface of a billiard table comprises a bed of flat material, such as slate, covered with a felt cloth or similar fabric. In time, the fabric wears and must be replaced. I-Ieretofore, the only system for replacing the cloth on such tables involved a major undertaking. It required a complete dismantling of the table rails, cushions and many fittings. Accordingly, to

produce a good, neat replacement has required the service of a specialist in that type of work.

The price charged by such specialists is dependent on time, fabric selection and the quality of the table being serviced. This service is expensive and normally costs in excess of $100.00. This fee is particularly burdensome to the many individuals who have installed billiard tables in their own homes. In such cases, the cost of a specialist can often be overwhelming.

In view of the above, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved, simplified method for the replacement of the billiard cloth or fabric on billiard tables. A further object is to provide such a method which can be utilized by a person of ordinary ability so as to produce a job of acceptable quality in a short time at a cost which would be greatly reduced in comparison with existing methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are attained in accordance with the present invention which provides an improved method for resurfacing a billiard table. The method includes the steps of removing the existing fabric on the playing surface of the table by cutting the existing fabric at the junction of the playing surface and cushion. A pre-cut replacement fabricis then placed on the table and secured in position by affixing one side of a double-faced adhesive tape to the playing surface about the periphery of the surface beneath the cushion. The other side of the double-faced cushion tape is secured to the underside of the replacement fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The method of resurfacing a billiard table in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar components bear the same reference numerals throughout the several views. In FIG. 1, a billiard table 10 is shown. The table includes a playing surface 12 comprising a slate bed surrounded by a cushion 14 formed of rubber or the like. The cushion, in turn, is surrounded by a rail 16 which forms the border of the table. The table may include pockets 18 to enable pocket billiards (pool) to be played or it may be provided without pockets. In either event, the playing surface is covered by a sheet of felt fabric. It is this fabric which will eventually wear and must be replaced. I

The conventional billiard table has fabric overlying both the playing surface and cushions. As shown in FIG. 2, the fabric overlying the playing surface gener ally includes an edge 20 tucked into the space defined between the intersection of the slate playing surface I2. cushion l4 and the table frame 22. The old fabric 24 is removed by cutting the fabric with a knife 26 or other sharp implement at the intersection of the playing surface and cushion. It should be noted that the fabric is cut below and behind the tip 28 of the cushion. After the old fabric is cut and removed, the table is vacuumed utilizing a conventional vacuum cleaner. The brush head attachment 30 with which most vacuum cleaners are provided is especially useful for cleaning the surface of the table. The elongated nozzle 32 pro-v vided with many vacuum cleaners to enable cleaning behind radiators and the like is especially useful for vacuuming beneath the cushion 14 as shown in FIG. 3. After the top surface 34 of the slate is thoroughly vacuumed, one face of a double-sided adhesive 36 is se-f cured about the periphery of the table playing surface.; A pre-cut replacement fabric 38 is then placed over thetable with the edge 40 of the fabric abutting as close as possible to the cushion 14. The top protective layer on the double-sided adhesive is then removed and the felt 38 is secured to the top face of the adhesive. The felt cloth should be stretched smooth across the surface of the playing area. It should be noted that the doublefaced adhesive 36 is only provided adjacent the cushion and preferably beneath the tip 28 of the cushion so that during use, no billiard ball will ever roll over the adhesive. In this way, the adhesive cannot affect the trueness of the table. The double-faced adhesive 36 chosen should be one having low melt characteristics. Thus, as a final step, a heated iron 42 may be applied over the adhesive to increase the bond between the adhesive fabric and table and at the same time flatten any bumps in the table.

If necessary, the felt fabric surrounding the cushion may be replaced in a manner similar to that described.

The steps for replacing the fabric around the cushion' are disclosed in FIGS. 6 through 8. Accordingly, in

FIG. 6, cushion 14 with its existing felt 44 is shown. The

bottom end 46 of the cushion felt is tucked into the crevis between the slate bed and cushion. The top edge 48 is tucked in behind and secured in a groove formed in the rail. As shown in FIG. 6, the existing cushion is cut along the intersection of the cushion and rail and also along the intersection of the cushion and rail. Thereafter, one face of a double-faced adhesive 50 is applied along the bottom of the cushion. Similarly, one face of double-faced adhesive 52 is applied along the intersection of the top edge of the cushion and the rail. A precut replacement fabric 54 is then applied to the exposed top surface of the adhesive strips 50 and 52. Thereafter, the new fabric is ironed as before (shown in FIG. 8) to increase the bond between the new fabric, adhesive strips and cushion.

It is anticipated that replacement fabrics will be provided pre-cut for standard size tables (i.e., 4 feet/8 feet, 4 /2 feet/9 feet, etc.). However, if necessary, the fabric may be cut as necessary to accommodate any variations in the table size. This is a relatively simple task requiring no special skills. Similarly. it is expected that pre-cut replacement fabrics for the cushion will be provided, however, as with the playing surface replacement, modifications may easily be made in such fabrics if necessary.

Thus, in accordance with the above, the aforementioned objects are effectively attained.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A method of resurfacing a billiard table of the type having a playing surface surrounded by cushions within a rail, said cushions including portions overlying said playing surface, said method comprising the steps of:

a. removing the existing fabric on the playing surface of the table;

b. pre-cutting a replacement fabric to a size corresponding to the playing surface of the table;

c. affixing one side of a double-faced adhesive tape about the periphery of the playing surface beneath the cushion so that no billiard ball can roll over the tape; and, e

d. affixing the other side of said double-faced adhesive tape to the underside of said replacement fabric.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said removingstep comprises cutting said existing fabric at the junction of the playing surface and cushion.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the further step of vacuum cleaning said playing surface after said existing fabric is removed.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said adhesive tape has low melt characteristics and comprising the further step of pressing said fabric onto said tape with a heated iron.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

a. removing the existing fabric on the cushion;

b. pre-cutting a replacement fabric, for said cushion;

c. affixing one side of a double-faced adhesive tape along each face of the cushion adjacent said rail and said playingsurface; and,

cl. affixing the other side of said double-faced adhesive tape to said cushion replacement fabric.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said existing cushion fabric removing step comprises cutting said existing cushion fabric at (l) the junction of said cushion and said playing surface and (2) the junction of said cushion and rail.

7. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said adhesive has low melt characteristics and comprising the further step of pressing said fabric onto said 

1. AMETHOD OF RESURFACING A BILLIARD TABLE OF THE TYPE HAVING A PLAYING SURFACE SURROUNDED BY CUSHIONS WITHIN A RAIL, SAID CUSHIONS INCLUDING PORTIONS OVERLYING SAID PLAYING SURFACE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A. REMOVING THE EXISTING FABRIC ON THE PLAYING SURFACE OF THE TABLE, B. PRE-CUTTING A REPLACEMENT FABRIC TO A SIZE CORRESPONDING TO THE PLAYING SURFACE OF THE TABLE, C. AFFIXING ONE SIDE OF A DOUBLE-FACED ADHESIVE TAPE ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF THE PLAYING SURFACE BENEATH THE CUSHION SO THAT NO BILLIARD BALL CAN ROLL OVER THE TAPE, AND, D. AFFIXING THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID DOUBLE-FACED ADHESIVE TAPE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID REPLACEMENT FABRIC.
 2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said removing step comprises cutting said existing fabric at the junction of the playing surface and cushion.
 3. The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the further step of vacuum cleaning said playing surface after said existing fabric is removed.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said adhesive tape has low melt characteristics and comprising the further step of pressing said fabric onto said tape with a heated iron.
 5. The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising the additional steps of: a. removing the existing fabric on the cushion; b. pre-cutting a replacement fabric for said cushion; c. affixing one side of a double-faced adhesive tape along each face of the cushion adjacent said rail and said playing surface; and, d. affixing the other side of said double-faced adhesive tape to said cushion replacement fabric.
 6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said existing cushion fabric removing step comprises cutting said existing cushion fabric at (1) the junction of said cushion and said playing surface and (2) the junction of said cushion and rail.
 7. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said adhesive has low melt characteristics and comprising the further step of pressing said fabric onto said tape with a heated iron. 